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'What a delight! This is a beautifully crafted, deeply romantic reworking of the fairy tale' - Juliet Marillier, author of the Blackthorn & Grim series

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I am neither monster nor man - yet I am both.

I am the Beast.

I know why I was cursed; I know the legacy of evil I carry in my tainted blood. So how could she ever love me?

My Isabeau. She opened my eyes, my mind and my heart when I was struggling just to be human.

And now I might lose her forever.

Lose yourself in this gorgeously rich and magical retelling of The Beauty and the Beast that finally lays bare the beast's heart.

Biographical Notes

Leife Shallcross lives at the foot of a mountain in Canberra, Australia, with her family and a small, scruffy creature that snores. She has a tendency to overindulge in reading fairy tales, then lie awake at night listening to trolls (or maybe possums) galloping over her tin roof. Ever since she can remember, she has been fascinated by stories about canny fairy godmothers, heroic goose girls and handsome princes disguised as bears. She is particularly inspired by those characters that tend to fall into the cracks of the usual tales. She is the author of several short stories, including Pretty Jennie Greenteeth, which won the 2016 Aurealis Award for Best Young Adult Short Story. The Beast's Heart is her first novel.

Other details

ISBN:
9781473668737

Publication date:
07 Feb 2019

Page count:
352

Imprint:
Hodder Paperbacks

A glorious debut from Australian author Leife Shallcross, The Beast's Heart retells 'Beauty and the Beast' in a compelling and surprising novel filled with peril, darkness, romance and beauty. An utterly enchanting fairytale retelling that breathes new life into a beloved classic. — Kate Forsyth, author of Bitter Greens and The Wild Girl

I stayed up until the small hours finishing THE BEAST'S HEART. What a delight! This is a beautifully crafted, deeply romantic reworking of the fairy tale. Leife Shallcross opens a brand new window onto the old story, creating a cast of engaging characters whose fates we really care about — Juliet Marillier, author of the Blackthorn & Grim series

Leife Shallcross weaves her words like a fairytale enchantment. The Beast's Heart is like nothing you've read. Welcome to a glorious darkness — Angela Slatter, World Fantasy Award-winning author of The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings

I might have a new favourite Beauty and the Beast! 5 out of 5 stars to Leife Shallcross's utterly beautiful retelling The Beast's Heart. Gorgeous writing, magical romance at its best. Absolutely loved it — Sam Hawke, author of City of Lies

The best fairy-tale retelling I have read — Read the Write Act blog

This book manages to capture the ancient quality of fairytale without going into the waffle-y vague voice that I tend to associate with some short stories and retellings . . . I had a wonderful time reading this book' 5 STARS — Chain Interaction

This beautifully conceived debut from Australian writer Leife Shallcross turns the classic fairytale on its head . . . The love story between the Beast and Isabeau is a delight; a credible, awkward, stilting courtship that's shot through with moments of gentle romance, pathos, and passion . . . a complex, charming, romantic, and richly detailed story about the redemptive power of love — Readings Magazine

Wow oh wow. I was hooked from page one . . . I think I want a Beast of my own! Honestly I think I'd give this more than 5 stars if I could — Books and Lemon Squash book blog

This was so beautifully written, I felt like I was reading a classical, melodic, fairy tale with all the feels that really came to life in my mind! An amazing story that developed beautifully, fantastically well-defined characters, the author did such a great job in reimagining the tale that's old as time and really took us deep into the heart of the beast. This is a story no one has heard before and a must read now. Beautiful writing and language, amazing characters you grow to love and a beast who I just want to hug! Oh . . . the love . . . the feels . . . for the first time in a very long time, I found this to be a book I needed to take a moment of silence for right at the end, it was that beautiful. — Read3rz Re-vu Blog

A lovely book . . . I would definitely read it again — My Melody of Words blog

Such a sweet story and a well-written retelling Beauty and The Beast but from The Beast's perspective! I just really want to hug the beast! — Curio

The writing was beautiful, and I was really immersed in the story from the start . . . It was a different take on a classic story, but one done with care and love and I am definitely a huge fan — Between the Pages book blog

If you like Disney or fairy-tales, I would recommend The Beast's Heart wholeheartedly. If you like historical romance, this is also a book for you. This is a charming story with well-rounded characters and thoughtful plot-threads weaving through it. — Morgan Daisy Sutherland Book Blog

This is not only the most vulnerable Beast I have come across, but also my favourite one . . . [The Beast's Heart] offered a perspective I didn't know I needed — Violette Books book blog

It's so refreshing reading an classic fairytale from a different perspective — Avid Bibliophile book blog

Leife Shallcross has created a beautifully enchanting world that is jumps off the page . . . I was unable to put my copy down — Readers Enjoy Authors Dreams book blog

It's the story I never knew I needed. It made my heart quicken, my eyes tear and my imagination run wild. A compelling, driving story that I was unable to put down. Overall, I fell in love with this story and the unique viewpoint it offered through the eyes of the beast. It's 5 stars from me and I will definitely be re-reading this book! — Goodreads reviewer

This book is so beautifully written, you'll feel the magic, the intricate storytelling, the love, all the feels that you can expect from a Beauty and the Beast retelling . . . This is a wonderful, magical and timeless book . . . There are so many parts that hit me right in the heart — Goodreads reviewer

I had a wonderful time reading this book, I think that if you're the kind of person who lives and breathes fairytale retellings you will most certainly enjoy this book. It's a great addition to any YA fantasy lover's shelf. ***** — Netgalley reviewer